The correct way to boil herbs

After buying Chinese herbal medicine, it needs to be decocted. Only when it is decocted well can it exert its maximum medicinal effect. If the Chinese herbal medicine is not decocted well, it will often affect the therapeutic effect. Therefore, you must understand the correct method of decocting Chinese herbal medicine. Before decocting the medicine, you should soak the medicine in water for about 50 to 60 minutes. In addition, the tool for decocting the medicine must be a clay pot, and some iron utensils cannot be used, which will affect the efficacy of the medicine. Follow the doctor's advice on adding water and controlling the heat.

The correct way to boil herbs

1. Soak the medicine in water before decocting it.

First soak in cold water for 50 to 60 minutes. If the medicine is sparse and soft such as flowers, leaves, and grass, soak for 50 minutes. If it is a relatively hard texture such as roots, stems, seeds, and skins, soak for about 60 minutes. Sufficient soaking can make the active ingredients in the medicine dissolve quickly into the water.

2. It is best to use a casserole for decocting medicine.

The casserole conducts heat slowly, heats more evenly, and has better heat preservation effect. Do not use metal utensils, as they can easily dry up the water, and the metal may react chemically with the ingredients in the medicine to produce toxins and cause harm to the body.

3. Add water in moderation.

The amount of water added should exceed the medicine by about 3 to 5 cm, so that the boiled medicine is about 200 mm. Adding more or less water will affect the efficacy of the medicine.

4. Control the heat.

Before the soup boils, use high heat (strong fire), and after boiling, use low heat (slow fire) to make the soup boil slightly. This will allow the active ingredients in the medicine to dissolve into the water to the maximum extent, which is beneficial to the efficacy of the medicine.

5. The time and frequency of decocting the medicine.

The medicine must be decocted twice. The first time is called "first decoction", and the medicinal effect can be dissolved by about 45%. The second time is called "second decoction", and the medicinal effect can be dissolved by about 35%. Then mix the two decoctions together and take them in the morning and evening. This way, the medicinal effect will be best.

Precautions for decocting Chinese medicine: ① There is generally no need to wash Chinese herbal medicine. If you feel that the herbs are a little dirty, rinse them quickly with water before soaking. Do not soak or rinse to avoid loss of medicinal efficacy. ②It is not suitable to add sugar to Chinese medicine before taking it. Adding sugar will reduce the bitterness but also reduce the efficacy.